JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: As you're reading this, I'm at New England Crime Bake (along with Hank, Hallie, and many of your fave authors.) This is a kind of prelude to the main event upcoming in my life: the release of AT MIDNIGHT COMES THE CRY on November 18. (Rhys's FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE comes out the same day, so make sure you've pre-ordered!)
It is a truth universally acknowledged that an author with a new release is in need of a book tour. My last release day was April 4, 2020. Do any of you remember what you were doing on April 4, 2020? Were you going to a library or a bookstore to hear me speak? No, you were not. You were home tearing old t-shirts into toilet paper and washing the groceries.
So it's been a while. I'm booked for a shorter tour this time - I'm only flying to Scottsdale (PHX) and Houston (IAH.) Fortunately, there isn't any nation-wide, record-breaking problem that might interfere with my travels...
I'm not saying I'm causing these things to happen, you understand. I'm just saying - maybe stop hoping I'll put out a book each year.
After I get back home (please, God, please) I'm touring around New England and upstate New York, staying with friends and, you know, just enjoying the vacation paradise that is upstate New York in late November.
So the writing I'm doing? Emails - emails to confirm, to make changes, to find out when my REAL ID is going to arrive (that's a whole other story.) To-Do lists: packing, what I need to do to get things ready for the pet sitter, finishing touches on the new website, keeping up with my college students (yes, still teaching two sections this fall!) And commenting as everything ramps up; on Facebook, here, on the aforementioned students' papers. (Most frequent advice to students: proofread.)
If you're going to be around and about (assuming this time, like, a meteor won't strike the earth,) here's where I'll be:
Hope you have a wonderful book tour . . .
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joan!
DeleteHi Julia, safe travels! Enjoy CrimeBake - and hopefully you and others will keep us posted as to what is happening.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your book!
So far, it's been a lovely conference, Anon. It's always so much fun seeing friends and making new ones here!
DeleteApril 2020 - that was during the pandemic lockdown, right? Hope you have a wonderful time at CrimeBake and a wonderful book tour. Congratulations on your book! Safe travels, Julia.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was at the start of the lockdown and I got to see my entire book tour get canceled in real time! Fingers crossed nothing like that will happen this time around...
DeleteJulia, the same! I am booked to Phoenix around the time you will be there, and I am planning, fingers crossed, to attend the signing. It has been too many years since I've seen my AZ cousins, and Rhys!
ReplyDeleteNot looking forward to the flights, though. Maybe we should drive? Stop here and pick me up!
Karen, if you drive, be on the lookout for that $2/gal gas! Sure don't see any of it around here! :-)
DeleteHa, you and me both, Flora!
DeleteI am so excited, Karen. It’s been too long!
DeleteAgreed, Karen - it's been way too long since I've been in Arizona, and the only thing I'm not looking forward to is the flight!
DeleteCan't wait to see you all!
DeleteTrying to decide on a hotel. Any fun suggestions?
Ahhhhhh so frustrating! But you will be fine—-and fabulous!
ReplyDeleteFrom your mouth to God's ears, Hank!
DeleteJulia, enjoy your tour and good luck with the flights! So happy to have this book coming!!
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Flora!
DeleteJulia I am so excited for your new book to be out. Unfortunately I no longer drive after dark, but I might be able to get someone to drive me. It would be so good to finally meet you in person. As you know, upstate NY weather can be tricky this time of year, so I'll just have to wait and see. Safe travels as go go around the country.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judi!
DeleteJulia, have a wonderful tour! And Crime Bake!! I wish I was there with you all!
ReplyDeleteIt's another fun one, Debs, and Hallie did an amazing job interviewing Lori Rader-Day.
DeleteJulia, yay! for you! May your book tour travels be as stress free as possible…and if you’re delayed in Phoenix, enjoy being warmer than Maine! Book on pre-order … arrives at my birthday. Thank you for the long awaited gift. SNARK ALERT: if you wrote a book more often, your odds of it being published during a time of extraordinary difficulty may decrease. Love your books Safe travels. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteThat's an excellent point, Elisabeth! I will try it and see how the travel averages out.:-)
DeleteKeeping my fingers crossed for both of us. They do say flights between hubs won’t be canceled so I’m hoping that means SFO to PHX!
ReplyDeleteAt least our social media reports will be interesting, Rhys...
DeleteHave a great tour! Alas, I'm not going to make a single stop, but I've already preordered the book from Jabberwocky in Newburyport.
ReplyDeleteBless you, Edith!
DeleteFrom Celia: See you later and you know I am sending all the best travel karma that I can raise towards you and Rhys. Excited for my brief Crime bake appearance later.
ReplyDeleteYou are practically going to be a guest of honor, Celia!
DeleteIt’s so exciting that your new book is out this month! Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteDebRo
Thanks, DebRo!
DeleteJulia, I am very excited for the release of AMCTC! I wish I could be there at Crime Bake with so many of the Reds and Readers (hi to Judy S, Celia and Dru!) or at the Poisoned Pen. I have pre-ordered the book so will have to console myself with a good read. Safe travels and I hope you, Rhys, Karen, and everyone else who has to fly are able to get where you’re going with little interruption or hassle. — Pat S
ReplyDeleteIt's never too early to start planning for next year's conference, pat!
DeleteJulie, have safe travels and enjoy your tour. As for the next book, my theory is that things are born - i.e. books - in their own time. Can't force something or it just turns into so much drivel. Be true to you and your creativity. -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteThank you, Victoria. Those are wise words indeed.
DeleteReading that you and Hallie and Hank are at Crime Bake and seeing posts on FB from others attending is starting to make me want to attend. And, it's at the perfect time of year. And, how wonderful it would be to attend the Poisoned Pen gathering with you, Julia, and Rhys and Jenn. But, my left knee must be replaced if I ever want to travel without dragging one leg again. Enjoy all your events and your book tour, Julia. Along with the already named Reds' activity, it's comforting to know that Lucy is finishing up on a book and Debs is deep into writing hers. I wish those of you flying a smooth and hair-pulling-free experience.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy. We would love to see you at a future Crime Bake! And oddly enough, one of the first lengthy conversations I had when I arrived here yesterday was about knee replacement surgery. I guess we're all getting to that stage... :-)
DeleteGood luck! My sister and her husband cancelled a flight from IAH to Salt Lake just because of the TSA line. Yikes. I read an ARC of your latest and loved it. Will there be more books from Millers Kill?
ReplyDeletePat, absolutely!
DeleteGood! That epilogue threw me.
DeleteCan’t wait to see you and Rhys at the Pen in Scottsdale!!!! Woo hoo! Double the fun!
ReplyDeleteWish I could be in Arizona on the 18th but I have appointments later in the week that can't be moved. Enjoy your travels.
ReplyDeleteI wish you were coming to the other Portland. I hope your travels aren't interrupted by political nonsense! Can't wait to read the book.
ReplyDelete